GAME 1: Heat Outlast Bucks

The Miami Heat rode Jimmy Butler's playoff career-high 40 points to victory on Monday evening, overcoming the one-seeded Milwaukee Bucks by the score of 115-104.

Both Miami and Milwaukee entered the night riding four-game winning streaks to advance in the postseason, with the Heat sweeping Indiana and the Bucks quickly recovering from an unforeseen Game 1 loss to dispose of Orlando.

Unfortunately for Milwaukee, adversity struck once again this afternoon, with point guard Eric Bledsoe appearing on their injury report as a last-minute scratch due to a right hamstring strain. Nonetheless, FanDuel placed their odds of winning at 65%, giving the Bucks a five-point edge.

And in the early minutes, they did not disappoint.

By the conclusion of the first quarter, the Bucks had built a 40-29 lead, converting 15-of-24 attempts from the field (62.5%), and benefiting from a buzzer-beating 3-point shot by Brook Lopez.

However, despite any potential rust on display from Miami (who had not taken the floor since August 24), Milwaukee was unable to build on their early success.

The Bucks suffered from 19 turnovers in Monday's contest, and the efforts of perennial superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo left much to be desired, as he finished 4-of-12 from the free-throw line.

Although the Heat quickly caught fire defensively (no pun intented), Milwaukee relied on a steady diet of Lopez and Khris Middleton -- the duo combining for 40 points in the first half -- to maintain a slim 63-60 advantage at the break. Meanwhile, Goran Dragic dropped in 19 points to pace the Heat.

Nonetheless, the momentum had clearly shifted.

Miami's defensive gameplan had adjusted. The reigning NBA MVP was rendered ineffective in the paint. It was clear that the Heat besting the Bucks twice during the regular season -- a feat that no other Eastern Conference opponent can claim -- was no fluke.

After tying the game on numerous occasions throughout the third quarter, the Heat finally managed to claim a lead late in that period (their first since the game's opening stages), and flipped the script for a timely 92-86 advantage heading into the fourth.

And in crunch-time, Miami relied on the well-rested shoulders of five-time NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler to seal the deal.

Tonight's 40-point effort had to feel extra special for Butler, who recently described this match-up as "the biggest playoff series of his career".

Dragic (27 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast) and Adebayo (12 pts, 17 reb, 6 ast) provided secondary scoring for the Heat in their Game 1 upset.

Game 2 will be played on Wednesday, September 2 at 6:30 PM EST.

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